Tricyclic lactone epoxides

ABSTRACT

PROCESS FOR PREPARING TRICYCLIC LACTONE EPOXIDES OF THE FORMULA   4-(3-W/OXIRAN-2-YL)PERHYDROCYCLOPROPA(3,4)CYCLOPENTA-   (1,2-B)FURAN-2-ONE   WHEREIN W IS 1-PENTYL, CIS 1-PENT-2-ENYL OR 1-PHEN-2-YNYL. THE TRICYCLIC LACTONE EPOXIDES ARE USEFUL INTERMEDIATES IN PREPARING PROSTAGLANDINS HAVING PHARMACOLOGICAL UTILITY.

United States Patent 3,816,461 TRICYCLIC LACTONE EPOXIDES Robert C. Kelly, Kalamazoo, Mich., assignor to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

No Drawing. Application Sept. 16, 1971, Ser. No. 181,246, now Patent No. 3,711,515, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 93,483, Nov. 27, 1970, now abandoned. Divided and this application Dec. 15, 1972, Ser. No. 315,370

Int. Cl. (307d /32 US. Cl. 260-3433 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Process for preparing tricyclic lactone epoxides of the formula wherein W is l-pentyl, cis 1-pent-2-enyl or 1-pent-2-ynyl. The tricyclic lactone epoxides are useful intermediates in preparing prostaglandins having pharmacological utility.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 181,246, filed Sept. 16, 1971 and now issued as US. Pat. No. 3,711,515, which was a continuation-inpart of my then-pending application Ser. No. 93,483, filed Nov. 27, 1970, and since abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION M Ilr-csl lii was reported by E. J. Corey et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 91, 5675 (1969), and later disclosed in an optically active form by E. I Corey et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 92, 397 1970). Conversion of this intermediate to PGE and PGF either in dl-form or optically active form, was disclosed in those publications.

It is well known that the prostaglandin structures have several centers of asymmetry and therefore exist as stereoisomers (see Nugteren et al., Nature 212, 3839 (1966); Bergstrom et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 20, 1 (1968)). Each formula for PGE PGFzu PGE and PGF herein represents a molecule of the optically active naturally-occurring from of the prostaglandin.

PGE has the following structure:

3,816,461 Patented June 11., 1974 PGF has the following structure:

c'H in PGE has the following structure:

W coo Ql'l b See also FIGS. XVI, XXII, XXIV, and XXVI herein, which are identical to the above formulas when repre sents attachment of hydroxyl in the on (S) configuration. The mirror image of each formula represents a molecule of the enantiomorphic form of that prostaglandin. Thus, for example, ent-PGE refers to the enantiomorph of PGE The racemic or d1 form of the prostaglandin consists of equal numbers of two types of molecules, e.g., a natural-configuration prostaglandin and its enantiomorph. If one of the optically active isomers has dextro optical rotatory power, the other has an equal degree of laevo optical rotatory power, A racemic mixture of equal quantities of dand l-isomers exhibits no optical rotation. The reaction of the components of a racemic mixture with an optically-active substance results in the formation of diastereomers having different physical properties, e.g. degree of solubility in a solvent. Another term used herein is IS-epimer. When referred to one of the above prostaglandins, it identifies a molecule having the opposite configuration at the C-15 atom. Thus, -PGE3 refers to the product having the B (R) configuration at carbon 15 as compared with the or. (S) configuration for PGE PGE PGF PGF and PGA and their esters, acylates, and pharmacologically acceptable salts, are extremely potent in causing various biological responses. For that reason, these compounds are useful for pharmacological purposes. See, for example, Bergstrom et al., Pharmacol. Rev. 20, 1 (1968), and references cited therein. A few of those biological responses are systemic arterial blood pressure lowering in the case of the PGE PGF and PGA compounds as measured, for example, in anesthetized (pentobarbital sodium) pentoliniumtreated rats with indwelling aortic and right heart cannulas; pressor activity, similarly measured, for the PGF compounds; stimulation of smooth muscle as shown, for example, by tests on strips of guinea pig ileum, rabbit duodenum, or gerbil colon; potentiation of other smooth muscle stimulants; antilipolytic activity as shown by antagonism of epinephrine-induced mobilization of free fatty acids or inhibition of the spontaneous release of glycerol from isolated rat fat pads; inhibition of gastric secretion in the case of the PGE and PGA compounds as shown in dogs with secretion stimulated by food or histamine infusion; activity on the central nervous system; decrease of blood platelet adhesiveness as shown by platelet-to-glass adhesiveness, and inhibition of blood platelet aggregation and thrombus formation induced by various physical stimuli, e.g., arterial injury, and various biochemical stimuli, e.g., ADP, ATP, serotonin, thrombin, and collagen; and in the case of the PGE compounds stimulation of epidermal proliferation and keratinization as shown when applied in culture to embryonic chick and rat skin segments.

Because of these biological responses, these known prostaglandins are useful to study, prevent, control, or alleviate a wide variety of diseases and undesirable physiological conditions in birds and mammals, including humans, useful domestic animals, pets, and zoological specimens, and in laboratory animals, for example, mice, rats, rabbits, and monkeys.

For example, these compounds, and especially the PGE compounds, are useful in mammals, including man, as nasal decongestants. For this purpose, the compounds are used in a dose range of about g. to about 10 mg. per ml. of a pharmacologically suitable liquid vehicle or as an aerosol spray, both for topical application.

The PGE and PGA compounds are useful in mammals, including man and certain useful animals, e.g., dogs and pigs, to reduce and control excessive gastric secretion, thereby reducing or avoiding gastrointestinal ulcer formation, and accelerating the healing of such ulcers already present in the gastrointestinal tract. For this purpose, the compounds are injected or infused intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly in an infusion dose range about 0.1 g. to about 500 pg. per kg. of body weight per minute, or in a total daily dose by injection or infusion in the range about 0.1 to about mg. per kg. of body weight per day, the exact dose depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient or animal, and on the frequency and route of administration.

The PGE PGF and PGF compounds are useful whenever it is desired to inhibit platelet aggregation, to reduce the adhesive character of platelets, and to remove or prevent the formation of thrombi in mammals, including man, rabbits, and rats. For example, these compounds are useful in the treatment and prevention of myocardial infarcts, to treat and prevent post-operative thrombosis, to promote patency of vascular grafts following surgery, and to treat conditions such as atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, blood clotting defects due to lipemia, and other clinical conditions in which the underlying etiology is associated with lipid imbalance or hyperlipidemia. For these purposes, these compounds are administered systemically, e.g., intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, and in the form of sterile implants for prolonged action. For rapid response, especially in emergency situations, the intravenous route of administration is preferred. Doses in the range about 0.005 to about 20 mg. per kg. of body weight per day are used, the exact dose depending on the age, Weight, and condition of the patient or animal, and on the frequency and route of administration.

The PGE PGF and PGF compounds are especially useful as additives to blood, blood products, blood substitutes, and other fluids which are used in artificial extracorporeal circulation and perfusion of isolated body portions, e.g., limbs and organs, whether attached to the original body, detached and being preserved or prepared for transplant, or attached to a new body. During these circulations and perfusions, aggregated platelets tend to block the blood vessels and portions of the circulation apparatus. This blocking is avoided by the presence of these compounds. For this purpose, the compound is added gradually or in single or multiple portions to the circulating blood, to the blood of the donor animal, to the perfused body portion, attached or detached, to the recipient, or to two or all of those at a total steady state dose of about 0.001 to 10 mg. per liter of circulating fluid. It is especially useful to use these compounds in laboratory animals, e.g., cats, dogs, rabbits, monkeys, and rats, for these purposes in order to develop new methods and techniques for organ and limb transplants.

PGE compounds are extremely potent in causing stimulation of smooth muscle, and are also highly active in potentiating other known smooth muscle stimulators, for example, oxytocic agents, e.g., oxytocin, and the various ergot alkaloids including derivatives and analogs thereof. Therefore PGE for example, is useful in place of or in combination with less than usual amounts of these known smooth muscle stimulators, for example, to relieve the symptoms of paralytic ileus, or to control or prevent atonic uterine bleeding after abortion or delivery, to aid in expulsion of the placenta, and during the puerperium. For the latter purpose, the PGE compound is administered by intravenous infusion immediately after abortion or delivery at a close in the range about 0.01 to about 50 g. per kg. of body weight per minute until the desired effect is obtained. Subsequent doses are given by intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection or infusion during puerperium in the range 0.01 to 2 mg. per kg. of body weight per day, the exact dose depending on the age, weight, and condition of the patient or animal.

The PGE PGF and PGA;, compounds are useful as hypotensive agents to reduce blood pressure in mammals including man. For this purpose, the compounds are administered by intravenous infusion at the rate of about 0.01 to about 50 g. per kg. of body weight per minute, or in single or multiple doses of about 25 to 500 g. per kg. of body weight total per day.

The PGE PGF and PGF compounds are useful in place of oxytocin to induce labor in pregnant female animals, including man, cows, sheep, and pigs, at or near term, or in pregnant animals with intrauterine death of the fetus from about 20 weeks to term. For this purpose, the compound is infused intravenously at a dose 0.01 to 50 g. per kg. of body weight per minute until or near the termination of the second stage of labor, i.e., expulsion of the fetus. These compounds are especially useful when the female is one or more weeks post-mature and natural labor has not started, or 12 to 60 hours'after the membranes have ruptured and natural labor has not yet started.

The PGE PGF and PGF compounds are useful for controlling the reproductive cycle in ovulating female mammals, including humans and other animals. For that purpose, PGF for example, is administered systemically at a dose level in the range 0.01 mg. to about 20 mg. per kg. of body weight, advantageously during a span of time starting approximately at the time of ovulation and ending approximately at the time of menses or just prior to menses. Additionally, expulsion of an embryo or a fetus is accomplished by similar administration of the compound during the first third of the normal mammalian gestation period. Because the PGE compounds are potent antagonists of epinephrine-induced mobilization of free fatty acids, they are useful in experimental medicine for both in vitro and in vivo studies in mammals, including man, rabbits, and rats, intended to lead to the understanding, prevention, symptom alleviation, and cure of diseases involving abnormal lipid mobilization and high free fatty acid levels, e.g., diabetes mellitus, vascular diseases, and hyperthyroidism.

The PGE compounds promote and accelerate the growth of epidermal cells and keratin in animals, including humans, and other animals. For that reason, these compounds are useful to promote and accelerate healing of skin which has been damaged, for example, by burns, wounds, and abrasions, and after surgery. These compounds are also useful to promote and accelerate adherence and growth of skin autografts, especially small, deep (Davis) grafts which are intended to cover skinless areas by subsequent outward growth rather than initially, and to retard rejection of homografts.

For these purposes, these compounds are preferably administered topically at or near the site where cell growth and kerat n formation is desired, advantageously as an aerosol liquid or micronized powder spray, as an isotonic aqueous solution in the case of wet dressings, or as a lotion, cream, or ointment in combination with the usual pharmaceutically acceptable diluents. In some instances, for example, when there is substantial fluid loss as in the case of extensive burns or skin loss due to other causes, systemic administration is advantageous, for example, by intravenous injection or infusion, separate or in combination with the usual infusions of blood, plasma, or substitutes thereof. Alternative routes of administration are subcutaneous or intramuscular near the site, oral, sublingual, buccal, rectal, or vaginal. The exact dose depends on such factors as the route of administration, and the age, weight, and condition of the subject. To illustrate, a wet dressing for topical application to second and/or third degree burns of skin area 5 to 25 square centimeters would advantageously involve use of an isotonic aqueous solution containing 5 to 1000 g/ml. of the PGE compound. Especially for topical use, these prostaglaudins are useful in combination with antibiotics, for example, gentamycin, neomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin, spectinomycin, and oxytetracycline, with other antibacterials, for example, mafenide hydrochloride, sulfadiazine, furazolium chloride, and nitrofurazone, and with corticoid steroids, for example, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and fluprednisolone, each of those being used in the combination at the usual concentration suitable for its use alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIGN It is the purpose of this invention to provide processes for the production of compounds useful in the preparation of prostaglandins commercially in substantial amount and at reasonable cost. It is a further purpose to provide processes for preparing certain intermediates in optically active forms. It is still a further purpose to provide a process for preparing racemic and optically active PGE PGF PGF and PGA their enantiomorphs, and their 15- epimers.

The presently described processes and intermediates are useful for preparing PGE PGF PGF and PGA-,; and their racemic forms, which are known to be useful for the above-described pharmacological purposes. The processes and intermediates disclosed herein are also useful for preparing enantiomorphic PGE PGF P61 and PGA and PGE PGF3.., PGF and PGA their enantiomorphs, and their ISB-epimers, each one of which is useful for the above-described pharmacological purposes, and is used for those purposes in the same manner as described above. These novel compounds are substantially more specific with regard to potency in causing prostaglandin-like biological responses. Therefore, each of these novel prostaglandin-type compounds is surprisingly and unexpectedly more useful than one of the corresponding above-mentioned known prostaglandins for at least one of the pharmacological purposes indicated above for the latter, because it has a different and narrower spectrum of biological potency than the known prostaglandins, and therefore is more specific in its activity and causes smaller and fewer undesired side effects than when the known prostaglandin is used for the same purpose.

Thus, there is provided a process for preparing an optically active tricyclic lactone glycol of the formula \CHCHY E 5 0H 0H or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein R and R are alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or when taken together,

wherein R R R R R and R are hydrogen, alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or phenyl, with the proviso that not more than one of the Rs is phenyl and the total number of carbon atoms is from 2 to 10, inclusive; x is zero or or one, and is as defined above;

(b) Transforming said optically active or racemic acetal to an optically active tricyclic mono or dihaloketone of the formula or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein R R and are as defined above, and wherein R is bromo or chloro, and R is hydrogen, bromo, or chloro;

(c) Transforming said optically active or racemic tricyclic mono or dihaloketone to an optically active tricyclic ketone of the formula or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein R R and are as defined above;

7 (d) Oxidizing said optically active or racemic tricyclic ketone to an optically active tricyclic lactone acetal of the formula or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein R R and are as defined above;

(e) Hydrolyzing said optically active or racemic tricyclic lactone acetal to an optically active tricyclic lactone aldehyde of the formula AIII v CH=OH-Y or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein Y and are as defined above; and

(g) Hydroxylating said optically active or racemic tricyclic lactone alkene or alkenyne to form said optically active or racemic tricyclic lactone glycol.

Reference to Chart A, herein, will make clear the transformation from bicyclic' aldehyde I to tricyclie lactone glycol VIII by steps (a)(g), inclusive. Formulas I-X, inclusive, hereinafter referred to, are depicted in Chart A, wherein R and R are alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms,

inclusive, or, when taken together,

R3 R R1 wherein R R R R R and R are hydrogen, alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or phenyl with the proviso that not more than one of the Rs is phenyl and the total number of carbon atoms is from 2 to inclusive; and x is zero or one; wherein R is alkyl of one to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, R is bromo or chloro, and R is hydrogen, bromo, or chloro; wherein Y is l-pentyl or 1-pent-2-ynyl; wherein W is l-pentyl, cis lpent-2-enyl, or 1-pent-2-ynyl; and wherein indicates attachement of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, or attachment of the hydroxyl to the side chain in alpha or beta configuration.

In the formulas herein, the broken line attachments to a ring represent substituents in alpha configuration, i.e., below the plane of the paper. The Wavy line indicates attachement of a group to a cyclopentane or lactone ring in alpha or beta configuration, or it indicates attachment to a cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, or it indicates attachment to the C-15 carbon of the prostamoic acid skeleton in a (S) or B (R) configuration. The formula of each intermediate as drawn herein is intended to represent the particular optical isomer which is transformed by the processes herein to an optically active prostaglandin having the natural configuration of prostaglandins obtained from mammalian tissues. The mirror image of each formula then represents a molecule of the enantiomorphic form of that intermediate. The expression racemic compound refers to a mixture of the optically active isomer which yields the natural configuration prostaglandin and the optically active isomer which is its enantiomorph.

The bicyclic aldehyde of Formula I in Chart A exists in CHART A a number of isomeric forms. With respect to the attachment of the -CH0 group, it exists in two isomeric forms, exo and endo. Also, with respect to the position of the cyclopentene double bond relative to the CH0 group, each of the exo and endo forms exists in two optically active (dor l-) forms, making in all four isomers. Each of those isomers separately or mixtures thereof undergo the reactions herein for producin prostaglandin intermediates and products. For racemic products the unresolved isomers are used. For the optically active prostaglandins, the aldehydes or subsequent intermediate isomers are resolved by my new process disclosed herein, and are used for preparing the optically active products.

The preparation of the exo and endo aldehydes is discussed below under Preparations.

In carrying out step (a), bicyclic aldehyde I is transformed to acetal II by methods known in the art. Thus, aldehyde I is reacted with either an alcohol of one to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, or butanol in their isomeric forms, or mixture of such alcohols, or, preferably, a glycol having the formula wherein R R R R R and R are hydrogen, alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or phenyl, with the proviso that not more than one of the Rs is phenyl and the total number of carbon atoms is from 2 to 10, inclusive; and x is zero or one. Examples of suitable glycols are ethylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,3- butanediol, 2,3-pentanediol, 2,4-hexanediol, 3,4-octanediol, 3,5-nonanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 3,3- dimethyl 2,4 heptanediol, 4-ethyl-4-methyl-3,5-heptanediol, phenyll,2-ethanediol, and l-phenyl-1,2-propanediol. The step-(a) reaction is carried out under a variety of conditions using procedures generally known in the art. Thus, the reactants are dissolved in benzene and the mixture heated to remove the water formed azeotropically. To accelerate the reaction, there may be added an acid catalyst such as p-toluenesulfonic acid, trichloroacetic acid, zinc chloride, and the like. Alternatively, the reactants, together with the acid catalyst and a water scavenger such as trimethyl orthoformate are warmed to 40100 C. in an inert solvent such as benzene, toluene, chloroform, or carbon tetrachloride. The ratio of the aldehyde to the glycol is preferably between 1:1 and 1:4. In transforming acetal II to ketone IV, reactions known in the art for analogous compounds are employed. In carrying out step (b), acetal II is reacted with a ketene R R C=C=O, for example HBrC=C =O,

Br C=C=O, or Cl C=C=O. For convenience, ketene Cl C=C=0 is preferred. It is preferably generated in situ by the reaction of a 0.5-to-2.0-fold excess of dichloroacetyl chloride in the presence of a tertiary amine, e.g., triethylamine, tributylamine, pyridine, or 1,4-diazabicyclo- [2.2.2] octane, in a solvent such as n-hexane, cyclohexane, or mixture of isomeric hexanes (Skellysolve B) at a temperature of from 0 to 70 C. (See, for example, Corey et al., Tetrahedron Letters No. 4, pp. 307-310, 1970.) Alternatively, the ketene Cl C=C=O is generated by adding a trichloroacyl halide to zinc dust suspended in the reaction vessel, omitting the tertiary amine.

In carrying out step (c), monoor dihaloketone III is reduced with a 2-to-5-fold excess of zinc dust over the stoichiometric ratio of Znz2Cl in methanol, ethanol, ethyl ene, glycol, and the like, in the presence of acetic acid, ammonium chloride, sodium bicarbonate or sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Alternatively, the reaction is carried out with aluminum amalgam in a water-containing solvent such as methanol-diethyl ether-water, tetrahydrofuranwater, or dioxane-water, at about 0-6 0 C.

In carrying out step (d), tricyclic acetal ketone IV is converted to a lactone by methods known in the art, for example by reaction with hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, perbenzoic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, and the like, in the presence of a base such as alkali hydroxide, bicarbonate, or orthophosphate, using a preferred molar ratio of oxidizer to ketone of 1:1.

In carrying out step (e), lactone acetal V is converted to aldehyde VI by acid hydrolysis, known in the art, using dilute mineral acids, acetic or formic acids, and the like. Solvents such as acetone, dioxane, and tetrahydrofuran are used.

In carrying out step (f), aldehyde VI is transformed to the Formula-VII alkene or alkenyne, for example by means of an ylid as in the Wittig reaction. A l-hexyl halide or l-hex-3-ynyl halide, preferably the bromide, is used to prepare the Wittig reagent, e.g. hexyltriphenylphosphonium bromide or (hex 3 ynyl) triphenylphosphonium bromide.

In carrying out step (g), the Formula-VII alkene or alkenyne is hydroxylated to glycol VIH by procedures known in the art. See South African Pat. 69/4,809 issued July 3, 1970. In the hydroxylation of the respective endo or exo alkenes, various isomeric glycols are obtained depending on such factors as whether the -CI-I=CH- moiety in VII is cis or trans, and whether a cis or a trans hydroxylation reagent is used. Thus, endo-cis olefin gives a mixture of two isomeric erythro glycols of Formula VIII with a cis hydroxylation agent, e.g., osmium tetroxide. Similarly, the endo-trans olefin gives a similar mixture of the same two erythro glycols with a trans hydroxylation agent, e.g., hydrogen peroxide. The endo-cis olefins and the endo-trans olefins give similar mixtures of two threo glycol isomers with trans and cis hydroxylation reagents, respectively.

These various glycol mixtures are separated into individual isomers by silica gel chromatography. However, this separation is usually not necessary, since each isomeric erythro glycol and each isomeric threo glycol is use ful as an intermediate according to this invention and the processes outlined in Chart A to produce intermediate products of Formula X and then, according to Charts C through F hereinafter to produce the other final products of this invention. Thus, the various isomeric glycol mixtures encompassed by Formula VIII produced from the various isomeric olefins encompassed by Formula VII are all useful for these same purposes.

There is further provided by this invention a process for preparing an optically active bicyclic lactone diol of the formula CHART B w Q em-y M q c iiu-u VII XXXVI l I XXXIX 1 1 12 CHART c m q H 'K 5 I I I Ckq n-CSH WYW'CBHH s u.

cm? (in on o'H on X xx: I I

OH I

"\ -/\/\COOH I 5": I. Ol i 0H Ji up xx! v I 0 'W COOH CHART F 5 8l H'C5H1; -9, 0 0H OTHP OTHP OTHP OTHP g A o x: n my a C JYZ XVII on 0H xxvi cnwr n or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of V that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein W is l-pentyl, cis l-pent-Z-enyl, or l-pent-Z-ynyl, and indicates attachment of the hydroxyl to the side chain in alpha or beta configuration, which comprises the steps of: (a) Replacing the glycol hydrogens of an optically active tricyclic lactone glycol of the formula XIX XX H H or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, by an alkanesulfonyl group, R O S, wherein R is alkyl of one to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive, and indicates attachment of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration and to the side chain in alpha or beta configuration; and (b) Mixing the compound formed in step (a) with water at a temperature in the range of 0 to 60 C. to form said optically active or racemic bicyclic lactone diol.

Glycol VIII is transformed by steps (h) and (i) into diol X as shown in Chart A. The procedures for forming 13 the Formula-IX bis(alkanesulfonic acid) ester by replacing the glycol hydrogen by an alkanesulfonyl group, and subsequently hydrolyzing that ester to diol X are known in the art (see South African patent cited immediately above).

In Chart A, there are differences in the terminal groups on the side chains of Formulas VII and VIII. In Formula VII, Y is limited to l-pentyl or l-pent-Z-ynyl whereas in Formula VIII, W includes l-pentyl, cis l-pent-Z-enyl, or l-pent-Z-ynyl. The compounds of Formula VHI, IX, or X wherein NV is cis 1-pent-2-enyl are obtained by reducing the -CEC moiety of the 1-pent2-ynyl group to cis CH=CH before or after any of the steps (h) or (i), i.e., at any stage after the hydroxylation of the CH=CH moiety in step (g). For that purpose, there are used any of the known reducing agents which reduce an acetylenic linkage to a cis-ethylenic linkage. Es;- pecially preferred for that purpose are diimide or hydrogen and a catalyst, for example, palladium (5%) on barium sulfate, especially in the presence of pyridine. See Fieser et al., Reagents for Organic Synthesis, pp. 566- 567, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y. (1967).

There is further provided a process for preparing an optically active bicyclic lactone diol of the formula 0 HQ QvcmcH-Y or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein Y is l-pentyl or l-pent-Z-ynyl and indicates attachment of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, and subjecting said alkene or alkenyne successively to the following reactions:

(a) oxidation of the CH=CH- moiety to an epoxy ring,

(b) hydrolysis of the resulting epoxide to a mixture of said bicyclic lactone diol and a tricyclic lactone glycol,

(c) formolysis of said mixture to form a diformate of said bicyclic lactone diol, and

(d) hydrolysis of said diformate to said bicyclic lactone diol,

with the proviso that, when W is cis Ipent-Z-enyl, the

-CEC- moiety is reduced to cis CH=CH- before or after any of the steps (b) to (d).

Reference to Chart B, herein, will make clear the transformation from the Formula-VII lactone alkene or alkenyne to diols X, and X Formulas V, X,,, X,,, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XL, hereinafter referred to, are depicted in Chart B, wherein E and M are both hydrogen or wherein one of E and M is hydrogen and the other is formyl, wherein Y is l-pentyl or l-pent-2-ynyl, wherein indicates attachment of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, or attachment of OE and OM in threo or erythro configuration, or attachment to the side chain in alpha or beta configuration, and wherein indicates attachment of the epoxide oxygen to the side chain in alpha or beta configuration.

The Formula-VII alkene or alkenyne, prepared by steps (a)(f) of Chart A, is transformed to epoxide XXVIII by mixing reactant VII with a peroxy compound which is hydrogen peroxide or, preferably, an organic percarboxylic acid. Examples of useful organic percarboxylic acids for this purpose are performic acid, peracetic acid, perlauric acid, percamphoric acid, perbenzoic acid, m-chloroperbenzoic acid, and the like. Peracetic acid is especially preferred.

The peroxidation is advantageously carried out by mixing the reactant VII with about one equivalent of the per acid or hydrogen peroxide, advantageously in a diluent, for example, chloroform. The reaction usually proceeds rapidly, and the Formula-XXXVIII epoxide is isolated by conventional methods, for example, evaporation of the reaction diluent and removal of the acid corresponding to the per acid if one is used. It is usually unnecessary to purify the oxide before using it in the next step.

Two procedures are available for transforming epoxide XXXVIII to diol diformate XL. In one, the epoxide is hydrolyzed to a mixture of glycol XXXIX, wherein E and M are hydrogen, and diol X For this purpose, a solution of dilute formic acid in an inert miscible solvent such as acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, or tetrahydrofuran is used. Reaction temperatures of 20 C. to C. may be employed, although about 25 C. is preferred. At lower temperatures, the desired mixture is produced inconveniently slowly. At higher temperatures, undesired side reactions reduce the yield of the desired mixture. Thereafter, the glycol-diol mixture is contacted with formic acid, preferably substantially 100% formic acid, at about 25 C. to form the diol formate. By substantially 100% formic acid is meant a purity of at least 99.5%.

In the other procedure, epoxide XXXVIII is subjected to formolysis directly. Preferably, substantially 100% formic acid is used, at about 25 C. An inert solvent such as dichloromethane, benzene, or diethyl ether may be employed.

In either procedure, glycol, monoformate XXXIX, wherein one of E and M is hydrogen and the other is formyl, is often present as an intermediate. It is ordinarily not isolated, but is converted to diol diformate XL in substantially 100% formic acid.

The diol diformate XL is obtained as a mixture of isomers in which the formyl group on the side chain are in the alpha and beta configurations. The mixture is converted directly to the diols X, and X, without separation. For this purpose, the diol diformates are contacted with a weak base such as an alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate, or phosphate, preferably sodium or potassium bicarbonate, in a lower alkanol, for example methanol or ethanol. For this base hydrolysis, a temperature range of 10 C. to 50 C. is operable, preferably about 25 C. The product is a mixture containing the diols X,, and X,, wherein the hydroxyl on the side chain is in the alpha and beta configuration. Separation of the alpha and beta diols is done by known procedures. Especially useful here is chromatography, for example on silica gel or alumina.

In Chart B, there are differences in the terminal groups on the side chains of Formulas VII, XXXVIII, XXXIX, X-L, X, and X,. In Formula VII, Y is limited to l-pentyl or 1-pent-2-yny1 whereas in the other formulas W includes l-pentyl, cis 1-pent-2-enyl, or 1-pent-2-ynyl. Similarly to Chart A above, the compounds wherein W is cis l-pent-Z-euyl are obtained by reducing the CEC moiety to cis CH=CH- by methods known in the art 15 at any stage after the epoxidation of the CH=CH- moiety of compound VII.

The formation of PGE or PGE from the Formula- X, lactone diol intermediate is done by the steps shown in Charts C and E known in the art. See E. J. Corey et al., I. Am. Chem. Soc. 91, 5675 (1969). The Formula-XI compound is within the scope of the Formula-X diol when W is n-C H The formation of PGF by carbonyl reduction of PGE is known in the art. For this reduction, use is made of any of the known ketonic carbonyl reducing agents which do not reduce ester or acid groups or carbon-carbon double bonds when the latter is undesirable. Examples of those are the metal borohydrides, especially sodium, potassium, and zinc borohydrides, lithium (tritert-butoxy) aluminum hydride, metal trialkoxy borohydrides, e.g., sodium trimethoxyborohydride, lithium borohydride, diisobutyl aluminum hydride, and when carboncarbon double bond, especially cis, reduction is not a problem, the boranes, e.g., disiamylborane. As is known, this method gives a mixture of PGF and PGF which are readily separated by chromatography. The formation of PGA by acidic dehydration of PGE is known in the art. See, for example, Pike et al., Proc. Nobel Symposium II, Stockholm (1966) Interscience Publishers, New York, p. 162 (1967), and British specification 1,097,533. Alkanoic acids of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, inclusive, especially acetic acid, are preferred acids for this acidic dehydration. Dilute aqueous solutions of mineral acids, e.g., hydrochloric acid, especially in the presence of a solubilizing diluent, e.g., tetrahydrofuran, are also useful as reagents for this acidic dehydration.

With regard to Formulas II to XXXIV, examples of alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and isomeric forms thereof. Examples of alkyl of one to 8 carbon atoms, inclusive, are those given above, and pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, and isomeric forms thereof. In Formulas XI-XVI and elsewhere, in-C H represents the normal-pentyl group, and THP represents the tetrahydropyranyl group.

There is further provided a process for preparing PGE dl-PGE or their 15-epimers, which comprises starting with an optically active glycol of the formula CHCH-CHzCEC CgHs OH OH or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein indicates attachment of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration and to the side chain in alpha or beta configuration, and subjecting said glycol successively to the following reactions:

(a) replacement of the glycol hydrogens by an alkanesulfonyl group, R O S, wherein R is alkyl of one to carbon atoms, inclusive;

(b) mixing with water at a temperature in the range of 0 to 60 C. to form a bicyclic locatone diol of S and R configuration;

(c) separation of said diols of S and R configuration;

(d) transformation to a bis(tetrahydropyranyl) ether;

(e) reduction of the lactone oxo group to a hydroxy (f) Wittig alkylation with a compound of the formula Hal-(CH -COOH wherein Hal is bromo or chloro;

(g) oxidation of the 9-hydroxy to 0x0; and

16 (h) transformation of the two tetrahydropyranyloxy groups to hydroxy groups;

with the proviso that, before or after any of the steps (a) to (h), the --CEC- moiety is reduced to cis Reference to Charts A and D, herein, will make clear the transformation from bicyclic aldehyde I to PGE ent- PGE dI-PGE or their lS-epimers. In Chart D, Z is cis 1-pent-2-enyl or l-pent-Z-ynyl, and and TH? are as defined above. A key intermediate for this sequence is the racemic or optically active lactone aldehyde VI. The Formula-VI compound is prepared from racemic bicyclic aldehyde I by steps (a)(e) of Chart A and thereafter resolved in an optically active form by the method disclosed hereinafter via the oxazolidine of Example 15. Optionally, the Formula-I aldehyde is resolved as disclosed hereinafter in Example 13, and thereafter converted to the optically active Formula-V I compound.

In carrying out step (f) of Chart A, the Wittig reaction is employed, using a l-hex-2-ynyl chloride, bromide, or iodide, preferably bromide, to prepare the necessary Wittig reagent by processes known in the art.

In carrying out steps (g) through (i) of Chart A, the procedures for hydroxylating the Formula-VII alkenyne wherein Y is l-pent-2-ynyl, forming the Formula-IX bis- (alkanesulfonic acid) ester, and hydrolyzing that ester to the Formula-X lactone diol are generally known in the art. See South African Pat. 69/4,809, issued July 3, 1970. The Formula-X lactone diol, which contains both a and 8 epimers as produced, yields the final product as a mixture of PGE and its l5-epimer. It is preferable that the diol a. and B epimers -be separated rather than the final product epimers. Silica gel chromatography is employed for this purpose. The Formula-X fl-epimer then leads to the dl-l5fi-PGE In converting glycol VIII, wherein W is l-pent-Z-ynyl, to the Formula-XX II product, the -CEC- moiety is reduced to cis CH=CH- at any stage. Thus, glycol VIII is optionally reduced before replacing the glycol hydrogens with an alkane-sulfonyl group; or any of the Formula-IX, -X, -XVIII, -XIX, -XX, or -XX-I intermediates is optionally reduced. Reducing reagents, catalysts, and conditions are used which do not substantially reduce CH=CH. A suitable method is to hydrogenate over a Lindlar catalyst, i.e. 5% palladium-on-barium sulfate catalyst, in the presence of quinoline. Methanol or like inert solvent or diluent is used and the pressure is low, advantageously slightly above atmospheric and ordinarily not above about two atmospheres. The resulting products are isolated by silica gel chromatography.

The formation of PGE from the Formula-XVII diol intermediate by the steps of Chart D, other than the reduction step above-described, generally follows procedures known in the art and discussed above under the formation of PGE There is further provided a process for preparing PGF dI-PGF or their IS-epimers, in which glycol VIH, wherein W is l-pent-Z-ynyl, is transformed to diol XVH, wherein Z is cis l-pent-Z-enyl or l-pent-Z-ynyl, and thence to the Formula-XXVI products, as depicted by the steps of Chart F. Accordingly, diol XVII is reduced to lactol XXV which is then alkylated by a Wittig reaction. As in the process for PGE the C.= C moiety is reduced to cis CH==CH-- at any stage between the glycol and the end-product. As in the process for PGE the optical isomers of the intermediates yield the corresponding PGF or entPGF the racemic intermediates yield racemic PGF the optically active aand fi-configuration intermediates yield the corresponding PGF ent- PGF or their l5-epimers.

The formation of racemic and optically active PGF from racemic and optically active PGE generally follows procedures known in the art, e.g., by carbonyl reduction with borohydride, discussed above under the formation of PGF The formation of racemic and optically active PGA from racemic and optically active -PGE likewise follows procedures known in the art, e.g., by acidic dehydration, discussed above under the formation of PGA There is further provided a process for resolving a racemic mixture of an oxo compound of the formula 3-1 9 i q I s 2 ,0. U

\i R! ono 0110 I \ORfi and of the mirror image thereof, wherein R and R are alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or, when taken together,

wherein R R R R and R are hydrogen, alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms, inclusive, or phenyl, with the proviso that not more than one of the Rs is phenyl and the total number of carbon atoms is from 2 to 10, inclusive; 2: is zero or one, and indicates attachment of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, which comprises the steps of:

(a) Converting the 0x0 compound by reaction with an optically active ephedrine to a mixture of oxazolidine diastereomers,

(b) Separating at least one oxazolidine diastereomer from said mixture,

(c) Hydrolyzing said oxazolidine to free the optically active oxo compound, and

(d) Recovering said optically active oxo compound.

In carrying out the resolution of the Formula-I bicyclic aldehyde, there is prepared an oxazolidine by reaction of the aldehyde with an optically active ephedrine, e.g. dor l-ephedrine, or dor l-pseudoephedrine. Approximately equi-molar quantities of the reactants are employed in a solvent such as benzene, isopropyl ether, or dichloromethane. Although the reaction proceeds smoothly over a wide range in temperature, e.g., 1080 C., it is preferred that it be done in the range 20 to 30 C. to minimize side reactions. With the Formula-I compound, it occurs quickly, within minutes, whereupon the solvent is removed, preferably under vacuum. The product consists of the diastereomers of the aldehyde-ephedrine product, i.e. the oxazolidines. At least one of the diastereomers is separated by methods known in the art, including crystallization and chromatography. In this instance, crystallization is used as the preferred method. Repeated recrystallization of the thus-obtained solid oxazolidine from a suitable solvent, e.g., isopropyl ether, yields one of the diastereomers in substantially pure form. The oxazolidine is then hydrolyzed by procedures known in the art to release the aldehyde. However, I have found silica gel wet with water surprisingly effective, using the silica gel in a column, with the further beneficial effect that the column acts as a means of separating the ephedrine from the aldehyde. The eluted fractions are then evaporated to 18 Formula-41 aldehyde in opposite configuration to that first obtained above.

I have further found that this method is generally applicable for resolving aldehydes and ketones, and is useful for resolving not only the Formula-I aldehyde but also the Formula-VI lactone aldehyde and the Formula-IV acetal ketone.

There is still further provided the new compounds produced by the above processes, all of which are useful intermediates in these processes directed toward prostaglandins; viz. bicyclic aldehyde I in its optically active forms; acetal II; mono or dihaloketone 1H; ketone IV; lactone acetal V; lactone aldehyde VI; the Formula-VII lactone heptene or heptenyne; lactone glycol VIII and monoformate XXXIX of the generic formula W is l-pentyl, cis l-pent-2-enyl, or 1-pent-2-ynyl; the lactone bis(alkanesulfonate) IX of the formula C H-w RaOgS (580 wherein R is alkyl of one to 5 carbon atoms, inclusive,

and W is as defined above;

epoxide XXXVIII of the formula i quit...

wherein W is as defined above, and wherein indicates attachment of the epoxide oxygen to the side chain in a or ,3 configuration;

diformate XL of the formula I OCHO 0 C HO wherein W is as defined above;

lactone diol XI represented by the mirror image of the formula 19 lactone diol XVII of the formula wherein Z is cis l-pent-2-enyl or 1-pent-2-ynyl;

tetrahydropyranyl lactone XVIII of the formula wherein THP is tetrahydropyranyl and Z is as ueimed above;

tetrahydropyranyl lactol XIX of the formula 2 din P out? wherein THP and Z are as defined above;

a Formula-XX compound of the formula I ITHP OTHP wherein THP and Z are as defined above; and an oxazolidine of bicyclic aldehyde I, ketone IV, or lactone aldehyde VI with an optically active ephedrine. In these compounds indicates attachment to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration and to the side-chain in a (S) or ,6 (R) configuration. There are also provided the enantiomorphs and the racemic mixtures of the above compounds.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS PREPARATION 1 Endo-bicyclo [3.1 .0] hex-2-ene-6-carbox aldehyde (Formula I: is endo) To a rapidly stirred suspension of anhydrous sodium carbonate (318 g.) in a solution of bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta- 2,5-diene (223.5 g.) in dichloromethane (1950 ml.) is added 177 ml. of 25.6% peracetic acid containing 6 g. of sodium acetate. The addition time is about 45 min., and the reaction temperature is 2026 C. The mixture is stirred for an additional 2 hrs. The reaction mixture is filtered and the filter cake washed with dichloromethane. The filtrate and washings are concentrated under vacuum. Abot 81 g. of the resulting liquid is stirred with 5 ml. of acetic acid in 200 ml. of dichloromethane for 5.5 hrs., then concentrated and distilled. The fraction boiling at 69-73 C./ 30 mm. represents the desired Formula-I aldehyde, 73 g. NMR peaks at 5.9 and 9.3 (doublet) 6.

The various Formula-I-to-IX intermediates, hereinafter, exist in exo as well as endo forms. A preferred route to the exo form of the Formula-II bicyclic aldehyde is by the steps shown in Chart G, using methods known in the art. See South African Pat. 69/ 4,809 issued July 3, 1970. In Formulas XXVII to XXXVII, the attachment to the cyclopropane ring by a straight line extended downward at an angle to the right indicates the exo configuration. Thus, diazoacetic acid is added to a double bond of cyclopentadiene to give an exo-endo mixture of the Formula-XXVIII bicyclo[3.1.0]hexene substituted at the 6- position with a carboxyl. 'Ihe exo-endo mixture is treated with a base to isomerize the endo isomer in the mixture to more of the exo isomer. Next the carboxyl group at 6 is transformed to an alcohol group and thence to the exo aldehyde of the Formula XXX.

EXAMPLE 1 dl-Endo-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-carboxaldehyde acetal of ethylene glycol (Formula H: R and R taken together are CH CH and is endo) Refer to Chart A. A solution of Formula-I endo-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-carboxaldehyde (216 g., Preparertion 1), ethylene glycol g.), and p-toluenesulfonic acid (0.5 g.) in benzene (1 l.) is heated under reflux. The azeotropically distilled water (29 ml. after 20 hrs.) is collected in a Dean-Stark trap. The reaction mixture is cooled, treated with sodium carbonate (0.3 g.), and distilled at reduced pressure. The fraction collected at 55- 60" C./3-4 mm. is partitioned between ether and water. The ether layer is extracted with water, dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and concentrated to the Formula-II bicyclic acetal, a light tan oil (70 g.) NMR peaks at 1.1, 1.6-2.9, 3.5-4.2, 4.42, and 5.3-6.0 6.

Following the procedures of Example 1 but using the exo Formula-I (XXX) compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-II acetal.

CHART G XXVII XXVHI Following the procedures of Example 1 but using either the endo or exo form of the Formula-I aldehyde and Substituting for the ethylene glycol one of the following glycols: 1,2-propanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 2,3-pentanediol, 2,4-hexanediol, 3,4-octanediol, 3,5-nonanediol, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 3,3dimethyl-2,4- heptanediol, 4-ethyl-4-methyl-3,S-heptanediol, phenyl-l,2- ethanediol and 1-phenyl-1,2-propanediol, there are obtained the corresponding Formula-II acetals.

Following the procedures of Example 1 but using either the endo or exo form of the F ormula-I aldehyde and substituting for the ethylene glycol one of the following alcohols: methanol, ethanol, l-propanol, or l-butanol, there are obtained the corresponding Formula-II acetals.

EXAMPLE 2 dl-Tricyclic dichloroketone (Formula III: R and R taken together are -CH CH and is endo) Refer to Chart A. A solution of the Formula-II bicyclic acetal of Example 1 (56 g.) and triethylamine (80 g.) in 300 ml. of isomeric hexanes (Skellysolve B) is heated at reflux, with stirring, and treated dropwise with dichloroacetyl chloride (100 g.) in Skellysolve B over a 3-hour period. The mixture is cooled and filtered to remove solids. The filtrate and combined Skellysolve B washes of the filtered solid is washed with water, 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and brine, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated to the title compound, a dark brown oil (91 g.). An additional quantity (13 g.) is recovered from the filter cake and aqueous washes. Alternatively, the triethylamine is added to a solution of the bicyclic acetal and the dichloroacetyl chloride, or the triethylamine and the dichloroacetyl are added separately but simultaneously to a solution of the bicyclic acetal in Skellysolve B.

Following the procedures of Example 2 but using the exo Formula-II compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-III tricyclic dichloroketone.

Following the procedures of Example 2, but using the Formula-II compounds disclosed following Example 1, there are obtained the corresponding Formula-III compounds.

XXIX

cHgoH XXX EXAMPLE 3 dl-Tricyclic ketone (Formula IV: R and R are methyl and is endo) A solution of the Formula-III dichloroketone of Example 2 (104 g.) in dry methanol (1 l.) is treated with ammonium chloride (100 g.) and small portions of zinc dust. The temperature is allowed to rise to 60 C. After 200 g. of zinc havebeen added, the mixture is heated under reflux for an additional 80 min. The mixture is cooled, the solids filtered off, and the filtrate concentrated. The residue is treated with dichloromethane and 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate and the mixture is filtered.

The dichloromethane layer is washed with 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water, dried, and concentrated to the title compound, a dark brown oil (56 g.); infrared absorption at 1760 cmr Following the procedures of Example 3 but using the exo Formula-III compound, there is obtained the corre sponding exo Formula-IV tricyclic ketone.

Following the procedures of Example 3 but using the Formula-III compounds disclosed following Example 2, there are obtained the corresponding Formula-IV compounds.

EXAM PLE 4 dl-Tricyclic lactone acetal (Formula V: R; and R are methyl and is endo), and tricyclic lactone aldehyde (Formula VI: is endo).

Refer. to Chart A. A solution of the Formula-IV product of Example 3 (56 g.) in dichloromethane (400 ml.) is treated with potassium bicarbonate (40 g.) and cooled to 10 C. A solution of meta-chloroperbenzoic acid (55 g. of in dichloromethane (600 ml.) is added over 40 min. The mixture is stirred at 10 C. for 1 hr., then warmed to reflux for 40 min. The mixture is cooled and filtered, and the filtrate is washed with 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate-sodium thiosulfate, and then water. The dichloromethane layer is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated to the Formula-V acetal (61 g.). A portion (58 g.) is chromatographed on 2 kg. of silica gel packed in ethyl acetate-Skellysolve B (50- 50). Elution with 50-50, 70-30 and 80-20 ethyl acetate- Skellysolve B yields a fraction (24.9 g.) shown by N MR to be a mixture of dimethyl acetal (V) and aldehyde (VI). A portion (22.6 g.) of the mixture is dissolved in ml. of (60-40) formic acid-water and allowed to stand 1 hr. at 25 C. The solution is then concentrated under vacuum and the residue taken up in dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution is washed with 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated to a brown oil (17.5 g.) which crystallizes on seeding. Trituration of the crystals with benzene leaves crystals of the Formula- VI aldehyde (9.9 g.). An analytical sample is obtained by recrystallization from tetrahydrofuran, M.-P. 7274 C. (corn); infrared absorption peaks at 2740, 1755, 1710, 1695, 1195, 1165, 1020, 955, and 910, cm." NMR peaks at 1.8-3.4, 5.0-5.4, and 9.92 8.

Following the procedures of Example 4 but using the exo Formula-IV lactone acetal compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-V lactone acetal.

Likewise, following the procedures of Example 4 using the exo Formula-V compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-VI lactone aldehyde.

Following the procedures of Example 4 but using the Formula-IV compounds disclosed following Example 3, there are obtained the corresponding Formula-V compounds, and, thence, the corresponding Formula-VI lactone aldehydes.

EXAMPLE 5 dl-Tricyclic lactone heptene (Formula VII: Y is l-pentyl and is endo) Refer to Chart A. A suspension of n-hexyltriphenylphosphine bromide (6.6 g.) in 20 ml. of benzene is stirred under nitrogen and to it is added 10 ml. of 1.6 m. n-butyllithium in n-hexane. After 10 min. a benzene solution of the Formula-VI tricyclic aldehyde (1.66 g.) of Example 4 is added dropwise over 15 min. and the reaction mixture is heated at 65-70 C. for 2.5 hrs. The mixture is cooled, the solids are filtered off and washed with benzene, and the combined filtrate and washes are extracted with dilute hydrochlroic acid and water. The solution is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum to an oil (3.17 g.). The crude Formula- VII product is chromatographed on 400 g. of silica gel packed with (30-70) ethyl acetate-cyclohexane and eluted with the same mixture. Fractions of 20 ml. volume are collected. Fractions 47-50 are found to contain 0.8 g. of the desired Formula-VII tricyclic lactone heptene; NMR peaks at 0.63.0, 4.4-5.1, and 5.4 6. To minimize side reactions, it is preferred that the Wittig reagent pre pared from the phosphonium bromide and n-butyllithium be filtered to remove lithium bromide, and that the resultant solution be added to the benzene solution of the Formula-VI tricyclic aldehyde in equivalent proportions.

Following the procedures of Example but using the exo Formula-VI compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-VII lactone heptene. A preferred source of the exo form of the Formula-VI tricyclic lactone aldehyde is by the steps shown in Chart H. Therein R is alkyl of one to 4 carbon atoms. Thus, diazoacetic acid ester is added to a double bond of cyclopentadiene to give an exo-endo mixture of the Formula-XXXI bicyclo[3.l.0]hexene substituted at 6 with an esterified carboxyl, e.g. a methyl ester wherein R is methyl. The exo-endo mixture is treated with a base to isomerize the endo isomer to more of the exo isomer. Next the hexene is reacted with Cl C=O=0 generated in situ from dichloroacetyl chloride and a tertiary amine or from trichloroacetyl chloride and zinc dust as in step (b) of Chart A, to the Formula-XXXII dichloroketone. successively, the dichloroketone is reduced as in step (c) of Chart A; the resulting Formula-XXXIII tricyclic ketone is converted to a lactone ester as in step (d) of Chart A; the lactone is saponified, then acidified, to yield the Formula-XXXV compound with a carboxyl group at the 6-position; then the carboxyl group is transformed to an alcohol group and finally to the exo aldehyde of Formula XXXVII.

o 0 0H onion ono xxxv XXXVI XXXVII EXAMPLE 6 dl-Endo-bicyc1o[3.1.0]hex 2 ene 6 carboxaldehyde acetal of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanedio1-(Formula II: R and R taken together are CH -C(CH -CH and is endo).

Refer to Chart A. A solution of Formula-I endo-bicyclo [3.1.0]heX-Z-ene-6-carboxaldehyde (48.6 g.), 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol (140.4 g.), and oxalic acid (0.45 g.) in benzene (0.9 l.) is heated under reflux for 4 hrs. The azeotropically distilled water is removed in a water separator. The reaction mixture is cooled, washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution and water. The benzene solution is dried over sodium sulfate, concentrated to an oil (93 g.), and distilled at reduced pressure. The fraction boiling at 88-95 C./0.5 mm. is the desired title compound, 57.2 g., M.P. 53-55 C.; NMR peaks at 0.66, 1.2, 3.42, 3.93, and 5.68; infrared absorption at 1595, 1110, 1015, 1005, 990, 965, 915- and 745 cm.-

Following the procedures of Example 6 but using the exo Formula-I compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-II acetal.

EXAMPLE 7 dl-Tricyclic dichloroketone (Formula III: R and R taken together are -CH C(CH -CI-I and is endo) Refer to Chart A. Following the procedures of Example 2, the Formula-II compound of Example 6 is transformed to the title compound, M.P. 97l00 C., NMR peaks at 0.75, 1.24, 2.43 (multiplet), 3.42, 3.68, and 3.96 (doublet) 5; infrared absorption at 3040, 1810, 1115, 1020, 1000, 980, 845, and 740 cmr EXAMPLE 8 dl-Tricyclic ketone (Formula IV: R and R taken together are -CH -C (CH CH and is endo) Refer to Chart A. Following the procedure of Example 3, the Formula-III dichloroketone of Example 7 is trans formed to the title compound, an oil; NMR peaks at 0.75, 1.25, 3.0 (multiplet) and 4.0 (doublet) 6; infra-red absorption at 1770 cmf Following the procedures of Examples 3 and 8 but using the corresponding exo Formula-III compound, there is obtained the corresponding exo Formula-IV tricyclic ketone.

EXAMPLE 8A dl-Tricyclic lactone acetal (Formula V: R and R taken together are -CH C(CH CH and is endo) and tricyclic lactone aldehyde (Formula VI: is endo) Refer to Chart A. Tricyclic ketone IV (Example 8, 12 g.) together with potassium bicarbonate (6.1 g.) in ml. of dichloromethane is cooled to about 10 C. Metachloroperbenzoic acid (12.3 g. of 85%) is added portionwise at such a rate that the reaction temperature is kept below 30 C. Thereafter the mixture is stirred for 1 hr. and to it is added ml. of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution containing 9 g. of sodium thiosulfate. The dichloromethane layer is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The oily residue con-. tains the Formula-V lactone acetal: NMR peaks at 0.75, 1.23, 3.5 (quartet), 3.9 (doublet) and 4.8 (quartet) 6; infrared absorption at 1760 cm.

Lactone acetal V (about 4.4 g.) in 60 ml. of 88% formic acid is left standing at 50 C. for one hour. The solution is then cooled, diluted with 60 ml. of 1 N sodium hydroxide saturated with sodium chloride, and extracted with dichloromethane. The combined extracts are washed with 10% sodium carbonate, dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The product crystallizes on standing, yielding the Formula-VI lactone aldehyde: M.P. 69-73 C., NMR peaks at 5.2 (multiplet) and 10.0 (doublet) 6, and infrared absorption at 1755 cm.-

Following the procedures of Example 8A, the corresponding exo Formula-IV tricyclic ketone yields the corresponding Formula-V and -VI compounds.

25 EXAMPLE 9 Resolution of endo-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6- carboxaldehyde (Formula I: is endo) (A) Formula-I endo-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene 6 carboxaldehyde (12.3 g.) and l-ephedrine (16.5 g.) are dissolved in about 150 ml. of benzene. The benzene is removed under vacuum and the residue taken up in about 150 ml. of isopropyl ether. The solution is filtered, then cooled to 13 C. to yield crystals of Z-endo-bicyclo [3.1.0]hex-2-en-6-yl-3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl oxazolidine, 11.1 g., M.P. 9092 C. Three recrystallizations from isopropyl ether, cooling each time to about 2 C., yield crystals of the oxazolidine, 2.2 g., M.P. IOU-103 C., now substantially a single isomeric form as shown by NMR.

The above re-crystallized oxazolidine (1.0 g.) is dissolved in a few ml. of dichloromethane, charged to a 20 g.-silica gel column and eluted with dichloromethane. The silica gel is chromatography-grade, (Merck), 0.050.2 mm. particle size, with about 4-5 g. water per 100 g. Fractions of the eluate are collected, and those shown by thin layer chromatography (TLC) to contain the desired compound are combined and evaporated to an oil (360 mg). This oil is shown by NMR to be desired Formula-I compound, endo-bicyclo [3.1.0]hex-2-ene 6 carboxaldehyde, substantially free of the ephedrine, in substantially a single optically-active isomeric form; called the isomer of Example 9-A herein. Points on the circular dichroism curve are (x in mm, 350, 0; 322.5, -4,854; 312, 5,683; 302.5, -4,854; 269, 0; 250, 2,368; 240, 0; and 210, 34,600.

(B) The mother liquors of the oxazolidine are com bined and evaporated to crystals, taken up in dichloromethane, and chromatographed on silica gel as above to yield the enantiomorph of the above Formula-I compound, having the opposite optical rotation.

(C) A preferred method of obtaining the isomeric oxazolidine which yields the aldehyde of optical rotation opposite to that of the isomer of Example 9A is as follows. Following the procedure of A, above, the racemic aldehyde is reacted with d-ephedrine to produce the oxazolidine in its diastereomeric forms. Recrystallization then yields the desired oxazolidine, which is converted by hydrolysis to the desired optically active aldehyde.

Following the procedures of Example 9, the exo Formula-I bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene-6-carboxaldehyde is converted to the oxazolidine of dor l-ephedrine and resolved into its optically active isomers.

EXAMPLE 10 Resolution of acetal ketone (Formula IV: R and R taken together are CH C(CH CH and is endo) (A) A solution of 2.35 g. of the Formula-IV acetal ketone of Example 8 (wherein the acetal is prepared from 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol) and l-ephedrine (1.65 g.) in benzene ml.), together with 1 drop of acetic acid, is heated at reflux for about 5.5 hrs., using a Dean and Stark trap to remove water. The benzene is then removed by evaporation leaving the formed oxazolidine as solids which are dissolved in methanol. On cooling the methanol solution, there is obtained one of the diastereomeric oxazolidines, 1.57 g., M.P. 161-166 0., [M -7.5 in chloroform, now substantially a single isomeric form as shown by NMR. NMR peaks at 0.63 (doublet), 0.72, 1.23, 2.38, 3.52, 3.95 (doublet) and 4.94 (doublet) 6.

Following the procedure of Example 9, the above crystallized oxazolidine is converted on a silica gel column to an optically active isomer of the desired Formula-IV compound, 0.56 g., M.P. 43-47" C. +83 in chloroform; called the isomer of Example 10-A herein.

(B) The mother liquor from A is concentrated and chilled to -13 C., to yield another diastereomeric oxazolidine, 1.25 g., M.P. 118130 C., [(11 +1l.7 in chloroform; NMR peaks at 0.63 (doublet), 0.72, 1.23, 2.38, 3.52, 3.99 (doublet) and 5.00 (doublet) 6: the isomer of Example l0B.

Following the procedure of Example 9, the crystallized oxazolidine is converted on a silica gel column to an optically active isomer of the Formula-IV compound.

(C) Reaction of the above Example 10-B isomer with d-ephedrine by the procedure of Example lO-A yields the enantiomorph of the oxazolidine of Example 10-A, M.P. C., +7.5 in chloroform.

Following the procedure of Example 9, the crystallized oxazolidine is converted on a silica gel column to an op tically active isomer of the desired Formula-IV identical to that obtained in Example 10-B above.

Following the procedures of Example 10, the exo Formula-lV acetal ketone of Example 8 is converted to the oxazolidine of dor l-ephedrine and resolved into its optically active isomers.

Any one of the above resolved oxazolidines is hydrolyzed to the oxo compound and ephedrine by contact with water, preferably with an acid catalyst, as is known in the art (see Elderfeld, Heterocyclic Compounds, vol. 5, page 394, Wiley, N.Y., 1957). Thus, the oxazolidine of l-ephedrine and the Formula-IV acetal ketone (Example l0-A, 5.0 g.) is stirred in a solution of tetrahydrofuran-water-acetic acid (25 ml.: 25 ml.: 5 ml.) for 4 hrs. at about 25 C. under nitrogen. The solvents are removed under reduced pressure at 2540 C., and the residue is mixed with 25 ml. of water. The mixture is extracted several times with benzene, and the combined benzene layers are washed with Water, dried over sodium sulfate, and finally concentrated under reduced pressure to the optically active Formula-IV acetal ketone having the same properties as reported above following section A. An alternate method of hydrolyzing the oxazolidine is on a silica gel-water column according to Example 9, thereafter eluting the released oxo compound and recovering same by conventional means.

EXAMPLE 11 Resolution of tricyclic lactone aldehyde (Formula VI: is endo) (A) A solution of the endo Formula-VI lactone aldehyde (0.5 g.) of Example 4 and l-ephedrine (0.5 g.) in benzene (20 ml.) is concentrated under vacuum to a residue. The residue is treated with diethyl ether to yield crystals of an oxazolidine mixture. Recrystallization of the mixture from methanol yields an oxazolidine, M.P. 1335-1345. Thereafter, hydrolysis of the oxazolidine on a silica gel column following the procedure of Example 9 yields an optically active isomer corresponding to the mirror image of the Formula-VI lactone aldehyde, which is thereafter recovered by conventional means and is hereinafter identified as the isomer of Example ll-A.

(B) Following the procedure of Example l1-A, but replacing l-ephedrine with d-ephedrine in preparing the oxazolidine, the optically active isomer corresponding to the Formula-VI lactone aldehyde is obtained, hereinafter identified as the isomer of Example 11-B.

Following the procedures of Example 11, the exo Formula-VI lactone aldehyde is resolved into its optically active isomers.

EXAMPLE 12 dl-Tricyclic lactone epoxide (Formula XXXVIII: Y is npentyl, indicates attachment to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, and

indicates attachment of the epoxide oxygen to the side chain in a or {i configuration) 27 Refer to Chart B. A mixture of the Formula-VII tricyclic lactone heptene of Example (2.02 g.) and potassium bicarbonate (0.8 g.) in 12 ml. of dichloromethane is treated with peracetic acid (2 ml. of 40% in 8 ml. of dichloromethane) added dropwise over min. After the starting material has been converted to the product as shown by TLC (about 45 hrs at C.), the mixture is diluted with ml. of dichloromethane and washed twice with 5% sodium bicarbonate containing sodium thiosulfate (0.5 g.). The dichloromethane solution is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue of the title product, 2.18 g., NMR

peaks at 06-33, 4.8 (broad) 5.

EXAMPLE 13 dl-Bicyclic lactone diformate (Formula XL: Y i n-pentyl and is alpha and beta). Refer to Chart B Procedure A.A solution of the mixed Formula-VIII glycols (Formula XXXIX wherein M and E are hydrogen) of Example 6 (2.38 g.) in ml. of 100% formic acid is left standing 5.5 hrs. at about 25 C. The mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure to an oily residue. The residue is treated with a solution of phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and about 10% sodium bicarbonate and extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue containing the title product, 2.66 g.

Procedure B.-A solution of the Formula-XXXVIII epoxide of Example 12 (10.0 g.) in 80 ml. of a mixture of acetone-water-formic acid (70:30z2 by volume) is left standing min. at about 25 C. The mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue is treated with 5% sodium bicarbonate, saturated with sodium chloride, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution is dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a mixture of glycol XXXIX (M and E are hydrogen) and diol X, 11.7 g.

A solution of the above glycol-diol mixture in 350 ml. of 100% formic acid is left standing 2 hrs. at about 25 C. The mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue taken up in dichloromethane. The dichloromethane solution is Washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to a residue containing the title product, 13.2 g.

Procedure C.A solution of the Formula-XXXVIII epoxide of Example 12 (2.l8 g.) in 40 ml. of 100% formic acid (see for example Winstein et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 1120 (1952)) is stirred under nitrogen for 2-3 hrs. at about 25 C., monitoring the reaction by TLC. The mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue is taken up in 50 ml. of dichloromethane and the solution washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate. The dichloromethane solution is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue containing the Formula-XL title product, 2.92 g.

EXAMPLE 14 dl-Bicyclic lactone diol (Formula X: W is l-pentyl and is alpha or beta) Refer to Chart B. A solution containing the Formula- XL diformates of Example 13 (2.92 g.) in 10 ml. of methanol is stirred with potassium bicarbonate (0.2 g.) for 0.5 hr. The mixture is then filtered and the filtrate is diluted with 50 ml. of dichloromethane. The solution is washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure to a residue. The residue is chromatographed on silica gel (810 g.) packed in acetone-dichloromethane (30:70), eluting with acetone-dichloromethane (30-45% acetone) and collecting 200 ml. fractions. Fractions shown by TLC to contain the desired products free of starting materials and impurities are combined, for example fractions 20-25 contain the X,, title compound and fractions 26-35 contain PGF and 15p-PGF Refer to Chart E (A) Optically active tricyclic lactone acetal V.A mixture of the Formula-IV acetal ketone isomer of Example 10-A (12.0 g.) and potassium bicarbonate (6.1 g.) in ml. of dichloromethane is treated with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (12.3 g. of 85%) in portions, with stirring and cooling to maintain the temperature below 30 C. After 2 hrs., 150 ml. of 5% sodium bicarbonate solution containing 9 g. of sodium thiosulfate is added. The dichloromethane layer is dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is recrystallized from ethyl acetate as the Formula-V tricyclic lactone acetal wherein R and R taken together are CH -C(CH CH and is endo; M.P. 127- 130 C., NMR peaks at 0.80, 1.29, 3.45, 3.72, 3.94 (doublet), and 4.89 (multiplet) 5; infrared absorption peaks at 1765, 1230, 1185, 1160, 1120, 1100, 1095, 1015, 1000, 980, 955, and 925 cm.- [111 +9 (methanol).

(B) Optically active tricyclic lactone aldehyde VI.- The acetal ketone of Example l5-A above (4.43 g.) is dissolved in 60 ml. of 88% formic acid and held at about 50 C. for 1 hr. The solution is cooled and diluted with 60 ml. of 1 N sodium hydroxide saturated with sodium chloride, and then extracted with several portions of dichloromethane. The dichloromethane extracts are washed with 20 ml. of 10% sodium carbonate, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil is triturated with isopropyl ether and seeded to yield crystals of the corresponding Formula-VI tricyclic lactone aldehyde, M.P. 62.5-64 C., NMR peaks at 2.48 (doublet), 2.82 (doublet), 3.10 (multiplet), 5.12 (multiplet), and 9.84 (doublet); infrared absorption peaks at 1755, 1710, and 1695; 30 (methanol).

(C) Optically active tricyclic lactone heptene VII. Following the procedure of Example 5, the lactone aldehyde of Example 15-B above is transformed to the corresponding Formula-VII optically active lactone heptene; NMR peaks at 0.6-3.0, 4.5-5.2, and 5.7 6; infrared absorption peak at at 1700 emf- (D) Bicyclic lactone diol X.-Following the procedures of Examples 12 to 14, the tricyclic lactone heptene of Example 15-C above is transformed to the corresponding optically active Formula-X, and -X,, lactone diols.

(E) Title compounds.-Following the methods known in the art, the above diols are transformed to the corresponding PGF and 15/3-PGF products.

Following the procedures of steps (C), (D), and (E) above, the optically active isomers of the Formula-VI aldehyde of Example 11 are transformed to PGF type products. Thus, PGF and 15,8-PGF are obtained from the isomer of Example 15-B; ent-PGF and cut-15B- PGF are obtained from the isomer of Example 11-A.

What is claimed is:

1. An optically active compound of the formula or the mirror image thereof, or a racemic compound of that formula and the mirror image thereof, wherein W is 29 30 l-pentyl, cis l-pent-Z-enyl, or 1-pent-2-ynyl, wherein 5. A compound of claim 1 in the endo configuration. indicates attachment of the moiety to the cyclopropane ring in exo or endo configuration, and wherein References Cited 0 Kelly et a1.: Prostaglandin Synthesis I. An Improved I 5 Synthesis Through Bicyclo[3.1.0]Hexane Intermediates.

indicates attachment f the epoxide oxygen t0 the side Journal of American Chemical Society, Vol. 95, 1973,

chain in alpha or beta configuration. 27464747 relied 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein W is l-pentyl.

3. An optically active compound of claim 1 having DONALD DAUS Primary Examiner the formula shown in claim 1. 10 A. M. T. TIGHE, Assistant Examiner 4. A racemic compound of claim 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Ilo. 3,816,461 Dated n 11, 197

. Inventofls) Robeg; C. Kel lv It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letrers Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

. v Column 13, l Ine 68 "V" should read VI I Column 15, l i ne 3 "PGE should read PGF l l ne 67 'Iocatone" should read lactone Column 18, 'l i ne 66 XI should read XI Column 20, l i ne 8 "Abot" should read About I i ne 15 "Formula-I I should read Formula-I Column 23, l i ne 66 Formula XXXV" should read Formula XXXV coon COOH "Formula XXXVI should read Formula XXXVI Formula XXXVI I CHgOH CHgOH CHO should read Formula XXXVI I Column 28, l i ne 58 "15-B" should cno read 11-B Column 1, lines 6 +72 should read:

Signed and sealed this 1st day of April 1975.-

(SEAL Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. I- AEON Commissioner of Patents Arresting Officer and Trademarks 

